dent,that would all forts of Perfons but duly attend upon thefe Inftructions;they would Reap a more fubftantial Benefit by them, than from thofe Other Exercises which have, I know not how, fo univerfally Crept into the Place of them. It being certain, that the only Way either judiciously to hear, or truly to profit by, Sermons; is to lay a Good Foundation for both, by a previous Catechetical Inftitution in the Princi ples of Religion: And which, if Men have neglected when they were Young, the best way to Remedy that Defect, will be, not only to fend their Children, but to come Themselves alfo, to our Publick Catechizings; where not only the Ignorant may be Informed, but those who are the Best Improved, may possibly meet with Somewhat, either to Confirm their Faith, or to Direct their Practice.

I have divided the following Treatife. into 52 Sections; that fo taking of one Every Lord's Day, the Whole may be Gone through Once in the Year. I have more or lefs Referr'd to Scripture-Proofs,

for

for every Point that I have proposed: And that not only to fhew upon what Ground I build my Anfwers, but moreover to accustom the Pious Reader to a better Acquaintance with thofe Holy Writings. And I have purposely made the Sections very Port, that fo He may not only Perufe what I have written; but may be Encouraged thereby, at the fame Time, diligently to compare it with, and examine it by, the Great Rule of our Faith, The Word of God.

4

If by what I have done, 1 fhall minifter to the Improvement of any Good Chriftians in the Knowledge of their Religion; but especially to Thofe of my Own Cure; I fhall think my Pains very happily bestow'd. if not, yet at least I shall have this Satisfaction, that I have done what in me lay to Supply their Neceffities: And that it must be, in fome Meafure, their Own Faults, if they shall still continue Ignorant. of what was needful to have been Known by them, in Order to their Salvation.

. THE

(1.)

THE

PRINCIPLES

OF THE.

Chriftian Religion explain'd:

IN AC

BRIEF COMMENTARY

UPON THE

Church Catechilm.

F

SECT. I.

Rom whence is the Word Catechifmi
derived?

A. From a Greek Word, which Aas xxi fignifies to Teach by Word of 21, 24. Luk. 4. Mouth: And therefore it has been used parti- Acts xviii. cularly to denote fuch a kind of Inftruction, as 25, 26. is made by way of Question and Answer.

Q. What is that you call your Church-Catechifm?

A. It is a plain, and fummary Inftitution of the Principles of the Chriftian Religion, fet forth by Authority, and required to be learned of every Perfon, in order to his being Confirm'd by the Bishop and prepared both for the profitable Reading, and Hearing of God's

B

Word,

Hcb. v. 12.
---yi. I, 2.

bc.

Gen. iii. 15.

Word, and for the worthy Receiving of the
Lord's Supper.

O. What do you look upon to be the proper
Subject of fuch an Inftitution?

A. It ought to comprehend all fuch things as are generally, neceffary to be known of All Perfons, in order to their due ferving of God here, and to their being faved hereafter.

Q. What are thofe things which may be accounted thus neceffary to be known by All Chriftians?

A. They may, in general, be reduced to Heb. viii. s. thefe two Heads; viz. The Knowledge of the Gofpel-Covenant; that is to fay, Of the Promifes made by God to Mankind through our Lord Jefus Chrift, and of the Conditions upon which We may become Partakers of them. And, 2dly, Of the means which God has appointed whereby to convey his Grace to Us, and thereby both to affift, and confirm Us, in the discharge of our Duty to Him.

Heb. viii. 11.

Q. What are the Promises which God has made to Mankind, through Jefus Chrift?

A. Pardon of Sins: Grace to fulfil our Duty Luk. xi. 3 in this Life: And, upon our fincere PerforJo. ii. 16,17. mance thereof, Everlasting Salvation in the Life 1 Pet. 1.4.5, which is to come.

1 Pet. 1. 2

2 Cor. vii.10. Jam. v. 20.

Q. What are the Conditions required of Us by God, in order to our being made Partakers of thefe Promises?

A. A hearty Repentance of our Sins past: A fincere Endeavour to live according to God's Commands for the time to come: And both thefe made perfect, by a lively Faith in God's Mercies towards Us through Jefus Chrift, Fo. iii. 16.

Q. What

Q. What are the Means ordained of God,. whereby to convey his Grace to Us?

A. They are chiefly two: Constant Prayer to God for it: And a worthy Ufe of the Holy Sacraments, Luk. xi. 13. Mark xvi. 16. Acts ii. 38. 1 Cor. x. 16. xi. 23, &c.

Q. Are there not, befides thefe, fome other means ordain'd by God, and neceflary to be made ufe of by us, in order to our Salvation?

A. Yes there are; particularly the Hearing, Reading, and Meditating upon his Word: The Subftance of which, tho' it be fufficiently gather'd together, and reprefented to us in our Catechifm, yet ought not that to hinder our Reading of the Holy Scriptures nor to deprive us of any other Means of Chriftian InItruction; but rather thould be ufed as a Help whereby to render both the Reading, and Hearing of God's Word, more plain and profitable to us. Pfal. i. . 2 Tim. iii. 16. Jo. v. 39. Rom.

XV. 4.

Q. Does your Church-Catechifm fufficiently inftruct you in All These?

A. It does: For therein both the Nature of the Chriftian Covenant is declared to Us, and the Conditions are fet forth on which we may become Partakers of it. And we are particularly Inftructed, both how we ought to Pray to God; and what thofe Sacraments are, which are necellary to be Adminiftred unto, and Received by All of Us.